INVEST – Venture Capital Grant Open
The INVEST – Venture Capital Grant program by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK) supports private investments in young, innovative companies in Germany. It offers financial incentives to Business Angels in the form of acquisition and exit grants, aiming to strengthen capital provision for start-ups and encourage private investor engagement.
Who is Funded?
The INVEST – Venture Capital Grant funding program targets private investors, known as Business Angels, as well as young, innovative companies seeking capital. The goal is to improve access to venture capital for these companies and to incentivize private investments. The funding is geographically focused on the European Economic Area, with a particular emphasis on Germany.
What is Funded?
The INVEST program promotes the provision of capital to young, innovative companies through the acquisition of newly issued shares or stocks. This includes both a grant at the time of investment and a potential grant upon a later sale of the shares. The program focuses on specific innovative sectors and development stages, with a primary emphasis on economic activity and the creation of additional financial resources.
Type and Extent of Funding
The INVEST – Venture Capital Grant program offers financial support in the form of non-repayable grants, both at the time of investment and upon a successful exit. The funding amount varies depending on the grant type and is subject to specific upper limits per investor and per company. Investments must be held for a minimum period to maintain eligibility for funding.
Conditions and Requirements
To be eligible for the INVEST program, both investors and target companies must meet a series of specific conditions and requirements. These include, among others, the type of investment, compliance with aid rules, and certain reporting obligations. Particularly important are the independence between investor and company, and the sustainable orientation of the investment.
Application Procedure
The application procedure for the INVEST grant is two-stage and is conducted electronically via the Federal Office for Economic Affairs and Export Control (BAFA). There are different deadlines and processes for the acquisition grant and the exit grant, each requiring compliance with strict formalities and proof obligations.
Legal Basis
The INVEST – Venture Capital Grant funding program is based on a specific funding guideline from the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK) and is subject to a variety of national and European legal norms. These ensure the legitimacy of the program and regulate its implementation and the allocation of funding.
Funding Overview
Maximum Amount:
€450,000 per company; €100,000 per investor
Deadline:
31.12.2026
Open Until:
30.06.2037
Award Channel:
Demand Driven Scheme
Region:
European Economic Area (Germany)
Sectors:
Information and Communication Technology, Software Development, Healthcare, Medical Technology, Pharmaceutical Industry, Research and Development, Creative Industries, Energy Production and Supply, Water and Waste Management, Transportation and Logistics, Textile and Apparel Industry, Other
Beneficiaries:
Young innovative companies, private investors (Business Angels)
Funding Stages:
Experimental Development, Product Development, Process Optimization, Market Introduction, Scaling, Commercialization, Planning
Funding Provider
Program Level: National
Funding Body: Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK)
Managed By: Federal Office for Economic Affairs and Export Control (BAFA)
Website: Bundesamt für Wirtschaft und Ausfuhrkontrolle (BAFA)